Railway truck side frame and wear plate construction

ABSTRACT

The side frame of a snubbed railway truck has a bolster window bordered by an upper compression member and columns. A bolster projects into the window and is supported therein on springs. Wedge-shaped friction blocks are resiliently urged upwardly between the sides of the bolster and the columns and bear against wear plates on the columns to snub the bolster. Each wear plate projects into an aperture in the upper compression member so as to be confined by the upper compression member. Positioning means project from the columns and confine the lower ends of the wear plates. This prevents the friction plate from moving out of position.

United States Patent 1191 Wallace Apr. 29, 1975 RAILWAY TRUCK SIDE FRAME AND 2,378.22) 0/1945 Light 105 197 D WEAR PLATE CONSTRUCTION 2.403.352 7/1946 Edstrom 105/197 D 3,548,754 12/1970 Williams 105/197 1) [75] Inventor: George 0. Wallace, St. Louis, Mo.

[73] Assignee: Diversified Industries, Inc., a/k/a Scullin Steel Company, St. Louis, Mo.

[22] Filed. Mar. 29, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 456,068

[52] U.S. Cl. 105/197 DB; 105/197 D; 105/207; 188/250 [51] Int. Cl. B61f 5/12; B61f 5/50; F16d 69/04 [58] Field of Search..... 105/197 D, 197 DB, 197 R. 105/207; 188/250 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 891.402 6/1908 Buhoup 105/207 897010 8/1908 Pulliam 105/207 1,246,169 11/1917 Shermanm. 105/207 2,073.075 3/1937 Shafer 105/197 D 2,295,553 9/1942 Cottrell 105/197 D Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, .lr. Assistant Examiner-Howard Beltran Attorney, Agent, or FirmGravely, Lieder & Woodruff [5 7] ABSTRACT The side frame of a snubbed railway truck has a bolster window bordered by an upper compression member and columns. A bolster projects into the window and is supported therein on springs. Wedge-shaped friction blocks are resiliently urged upwardly between the sides of the bolster and the columns and bear against wear plates on the columns to snub the bolster. Each wear plate projects into an aperture in the upper compression member so as to be confined by the upper compression member. Positioning means project from the columns and confine the lower ends of the wear plates. This prevents the friction plate from moving out of position.

14 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPRZ 9 I975 sum 30F 3 PIC-3.9

FIGS

RAILWAY TRUCK SIDE FRAME AND WEAR PLATE CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to railway trucks and more particularly to a wear plate construction for snubbed railway trucks.

In snubbed railway trucks wedge-shaped friction blocks, which effect the snubbing action, bear against vertical wear or friction plates on the columns of the side frame. These friction plates are usually welded in place, but the constant movement of the friction blocks along them and the resulting changes of force against them break the welds and the plates fall downwardly and out of the side frame. As a result, the friction blocks no longer effectively snub the bolster and the entire truck must be desassembled and overhauled.

In some cases, the wear plates have been secured by so-called lock bolts having nuts swaged over their shanks on the opposite side of the columns. Lock bolts, however, never do fit tightly and the wear plates therefore move slightly with each change in direction of the friction blocks. This eventually shears the bolts and again the wear plates drop out of position. Indeed, lock bolts are no more effective in securing wear plates than are welds, at least insofar as long term service is concerned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a wear plate which will remain in position without welds or lock bolts. Another object is to provide a wear plate which at its upper end interlocks with and is confined by the upper compression member of a truss-type side frame. A further object is to provide a wear plate construction suitable for long term service. These and other objects and advantages will become apparent hereinafter.

The present invention is embodied in a side frame having a wear plate against which a friction block bears. The wear plate has a tongue at its upper end and the tongue projects upwardly into a portion of the side frame so that the side frame confines the upper end of the wear plate. The invention also consists in the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification and wherein like numerals and letters refer to like parts wherever they occur:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a railway truck provided with a side frame and wear plates constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the side frame with the wear plates installed on it;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially broken away and in section, of a modified wear plate and side frame construction;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially broken away and in section, of another modified wear plate and side frame construction;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially broken away and in section, of a further modified wear plate and side frame construction;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially broken away and in section, of still another modified wear plate and side frame construction; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of yet another modified wear plate held in place with a hot rivet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings (FIG. 1), T desigantes a snubbed or stabilized railway truck or any truck design using similar side frame construction and bolster column application. Broadly speaking, the truck T includes a bolster 2, a pair of side frames 4 (one being illustrated), a set of bolster supporting springs 6 on side frame 4, and a wheel and axle set 8 spanning the ends of the side frames.

Each side frame 4 is of the conventional truss variety and has ends 12 (FIG. 1) provided with downwardly extending jaws 14 which retain bearing assemblies 16 which in turn receive the journals at the ends of the wheel and axle sets 8. The two pedestal ends 12 of each side frame 4 are joined through an upper compression member 20 as well as through a pair of oblique tension members 22 interconnected by a lower tension member 24, the latter being directly below the upper compression member 20 and centered with respect thereto. The upper compression member 20 and lower tension member 22 are connected by a pair of columns 26 which create a bolster window 28 in the side frame 4. Thus, the bolster window 28 is bordered along its top by the upper compression member 20 and on its sides by the columns 26.

The lower tension member 24 has a spring seat 30 cast integral with it for supporting the spring set 6 and the spring seat 30 has lugs 32 which properly locate the springs 6 on it.

The bolster 2 has reduced ends 34 (FIG. 1) which project into the bolster windows 28 of the side frames 4 immediately below the upper compression members 20. Each reduced end 34 in turn has two pockets 36 which are located directly opposite to and open toward the columns 26 on the side frame 4. At the back side of each pocket 36 is an inclined wall 38 with the inclination being such that the top of the wall 38 is closer to the adjacent column 26 than the lower end.

The pockets 36 receive wedge-shaped friction blocks 40 which are urged upwardly by side springs 42 (FIG. 1) also supported on the spring seat 30. Thus, the friction blocks 40 move upwardly and downwardly with the bolster end 34. The side springs 42 force the friction blocks 40 snugly between the inclined walls 38 of the pockets 36 and the columns 26 of the side frames 4 to prevent the springs 6 from bottoming out under heavy loads and to further snub the bolster 2 so that it does not oscillate excessively. Each friction block 40 has an inclined face .44 abutted against one of the inclined walls 38 of the bolster end 34 and a vertical face 46 located opposite the adjacent column 26.

The friction blocks 40 follow the bolster end 34 and hence move up and down with respect to the columns 26. To prevent excessive wear on the columns 26, those sides of the columns 26 which face the bolster window 28 are lined with friction or wear plates 50 (FIGS. 1-5) which are made from a wear-resistant steel alloy. More specifically, each column 26 has a flat backing surface 52 (FIGS. 2 and 5) located opposite the vertical face 46 on the adjacent friction block 40, and the backing surface 52 is at least as wide as the wear plate 50 although it is somewhat shorter in the vertical dimension. Along each side of the back face 52, locating ribs 53 (FIGS. 2 and 3) project outwardly from the column 26 and confine the wear plate 50 laterally. A welding rib 54 (FIGS. 3 and 5) projects outwardly along the bottom of the backing surface 52 such that it is directly below the lower edge of the wear plate 50. The wear plate 50 fits against the backing surface 52 so that it is interposed between that surface and the vertical face 46 of the friction block 40. When so fitted the locating ribs 53 lie along its sides of the wear plate 50, while the welding rib 54 is along its bottom edge. The inwardly presented surfaces of the welding ribs 54 are chamferred and likewise so is the bottom edges of the wear plate 50 adjacent to the ribs 54, thus creating a V- shaped depression between the ribs 54 and the wear plate 50 (FIG. 5).

The wear plate 50 has a T-shaped tongue at its upper end and this tongue 56 (FIGS. 2 and 3) has nibs 58 projected laterally from it so as to create laterally opening notches 60 at the upper end of the plate 50. When the wear plate 50 is properly located against the backing surface 52, the tongue 56 projects upwardly into the upper compression member of the side frame 4. In this connection, the upper compression member 20 has a hollow interior and a downwardly opening aperture 62 in the lower wall thereof. The width of the aperture 62 is less than the width of the interior for the compression member 20 so that narrow wall segments exist in the lower wall of the compression member 20 along the sides of the aperture 62. The width of the aperture 62 is also less than the width of the tongue 56 at the nibs 58 but is slightly greater than the width of the tongue 56 at the notches 60 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Moreover, the thickness of the lower wall of the upper compression member 20, that is the wall in which the aperture 62 is located, is slightly less than the width or vertical dimension of the notches 60. On the other hand, the length of the aperture 62 is substantially greater than the width of the tongue 56 at the nibs 58 (FIG. 4) so that when the plate 50 is turned perpendicular to the backing surface 52 and moved upwardly, the tongue 56 will project through the aperture 62 and into the hollow interior of the compression member 20. This, of course, is done before the springs 6 and 42 and bolster 2 are installed in the bolster window 28. Thereafter, when the plate 50 is turned parallel to the backing surface 52, the nibs 58 will project over the lower wall of the upper compression member 20 and the portion of that wall along the edges of the aperture 62 will be received in the notches 60.

The wear plate 50 is attached firmly to the column 26 of the side frame 4 by a weld 66 (FIGS. 3 and 5) made in the V-shaped depression between the welding rib 54. and the lower edge of the plate 50. As the weld is made, the plate 50 is not only forced tightly against the backing surface 52, but it is also forced upwardly so that it snugly abuts the lower wall of the upper compression member 20. In addition, it should be urged toward the locating rib 53 on the outboard side of the column 26. The friction plate 50 is of course installed in and welded to the side frame 4 before the springs 6, bolster 2, friction blocks 40 and side springs 42 are installed in the bolster window 28.

Should the weld 66 break in service the wear plate 50 will remain in place against the column 26 and the friction blocks 40 will in turn continue to effectively snub the bolster 2. In particular, the side springs 42 urge the friction blocks 40 upwardly and the inclination of the wall 38 at the back of the pocket 36 drives the friction block 40 toward the wear plate 50, thereby forcing the plate 50 against the backing wall 52. The nibs 58 on the tongue 56 of the plate 50 and the welding rib 54 at the bottom of the plate 50 will keep the plate 50 from falling downwardly, while the locating ribs 53 along the sides of the plate 50 keep the plate 50 from moving laterally.

In a slightly modified arrangement (FIG. 6), the nibs 58 are eliminated from the tongue 56 of the wear plate 50 so that only the weld 66 and welding rib 54 prevent the plate from dropping downwardly.

In another modified arrangement (FIG. 7), the locating ribs 53 and welding ribs 54 are eliminated from the column 26 and the lower end of the wear plate 50 is located by bosses 70 (FIG. 7) which project into notches 72 in the sides of the modified wear plate 50. To further secure the modified plate 50 lap welds 74 may be made along its side and bottom edges.

In a further modified arrangement (FIG. 8) the lower end of the wear plate 50 is located by extensions which project into notches 82 in bosses 84 on the colunn 26. Again, lap welds 86 may be used to further secure the modified plate 50.

In yet another modified arrangement (FIG. 9), the wear plate 50 has another tongue 56 at its lower end. The notches 58 in this tongue receive bosses 88 which project outwardly from the column 26 and locate the lower end of the plate 50.

In still another modified arrangement (FIG. 10), the friction plate 50 is provided with a countersunk hole 90 generally in the center thereof, and this hole registers with a hole 92 in the column 26. Extended through the holes 90 and 92 is a rivet 94, the head of which is countersunk into the hole 90 of the modified plate 50. Preferably, the rivet 94 is applied in a heated and plastic condition so that when it is deformed it will conform precisely to the holes 90 and 92 and hence leave no room for lost motion. This, creates an extremely secure attachment.

This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a railway truck including an elongated side frame provided with a bolster window and having a spring seat at the bottom of the bolster window, vertical backing surfaces extended transversely of the side frame at the sides of the bolster window and a hollow compression member extending over the bolster window; wear plates located against and positioned by the backing surfaces so that the wear plates are also vertical and extend transversely of the side frame; a bolster projected into the bolster window and having inclined walls located opposite the wear plates; springs between the bolster and the spring seat for supporting the bolster on the side frame; and wedge-shaped friction blocks urged upwardly between and being engaged with the inclined walls on the bolster and the vertical wear plates on the side frame for snubbing the bolster when the bolster moves downwardly; the improvement comprising: a lower wall on the compression member having apertures located directly above the wear plates and opening into the hollow interior of the compression member, and tongue-like extensions on the wear plates projecting upwardly into the apertures and hollow interior of the compression member, the tongue-like extensions being engaged with the upper compression member such that the wear plates are unable to drop downwardly when against the backing surfaces.

2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the apertures are narrower than the hollow interiors of the compression member and the lower wall is on both sidesof the apertures, forming narrow wall segments along the sides of the apertures, and wherein the tongue-like extensions of the wear plates have notches in the sides of them which receive the narrow wall segments along the sides of the apertures so as to prevent the wear plates from moving upwardly or downwardly.

3. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the improvement further comprises restraining means on the side frame and engaged with the plate for confining the lower end of the plate.

4. The structure according to claim 2 wherein the wear plate has at least one notch at its lower end and the restraining means comprises a boss on the side plate and projected into the notch.

S. The structure according to claim 2 wherein the wear plate has notches opening out of each side thereof, and the restraining means comprises bosses projecting from the side frame and into the notches.

6. The structure according to claim 2 wherein the plate has extensions projecting from its sides and the restraining means interlock with the extensions.

7. The structure according to claim 2 wherein the restraining means comprises a rivet extended through the wear plate and into the side frame, the rivet being in a heated and pliable condition when applied.

8. The structure according to claim 2 wherein the restraining means comprises a rib projected from the side frame below the lower edge of the plate, and a weld between the rib and the plate.

9. The structure according to claim 8 wherein the weld is a butt weld.

10. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the tongue-like extension has notches opening out of the side thereof, and the narrow wall segments of the compression member along the aperture therein project into the notches.

11. The structure according to claim 10 wherein the aperture is configured such that the tongue-like extension can be inserted upwardly into it when the friction plate is generally parallel to the plane of the side frame, but not when the tongue is perpendicular to that plane.

12. The structure according to claim 11 wherein the wear plate has a similar tongue-like extension at its lower end, and wherein the side frame has bosses which project into the notches of the lower tongue.

13. In a railway truck including a bolster provided with a reduced end having inclined walls, springs engaged with the reduced end and supporting the bolster, and wedge-shaped friction blocks urged upwardly and against the inclined walls, the improvement comprising: an elongated side frame provided with a bolster window into which the reduced end of the bolster projects and including a spring seat at the bottom of the bolster window and supporting the springs, columns along the sides of the bolster window, and a compression member extended over the bolster window, the compression member being hollow and having a downwardly opening aperture located above the columns and having relatively narrow wall segments on each side of the aperture, and vertical wear plates extending transversely of the side frame and being located between the columns and the wedge-shaped friction blocks, the wear plates projecting upwardly through the apertures and into the hollow interior of the compression member and having notches in the sides thereof which receive the relatively narrow wall segments so as to prevent the wear plates from dropping downwardly.

14. The structure according to claim 13 and further characterized by positioning means mounted firmly on the columns and engaged with the wear plates at their lower ends for preventing lateral movement of the lower ends of the wear plates. 

1. In a railway truck including an elongated side frame provided with a bolster window and having a spring seat at the bottom of the bolster window, vertical backing surfaces extended transversely of the side frame at the sides of the bolster window and a hollow compression member extending over the bolster window; wear plates located against and positioned by the backing surfaces so that the wear plates are also vertical and extend transversely of the side frame; a bolster projected into the bolster window and having inclined walls located opposite the wear plates; springs between the bolster and the spring seat for supporting the bolster on the side frame; and wedge-shaped friction blocks urged upwardly between and being engaged with the inclined walls on the bolster and the vertical wear plates on the side frame for snubbing the bolster when the bolster moves downwardly; the improvement comprising: a lower wall on the compression member having apertures located directly above the wear plates and opening into the hollow interior of the compression member, and tongue-like extensions on the wear plates projecting upwardly into the apertures and hollow interior of the compression member, the tongue-like extensions being engaged with the upper compression member such that the wear plates are unable to drop downwardly when against the backing surfaces.
 2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the apertures are narrower than the hollow interiors of the compression member and the lower wall is on both sides of the apertures, forming narrow wall segments along the sides of the apertures, and wherein the tongue-like extensions of the wear plates have notches in the sides of them which receive the narrow wall segments along the sides of the apertures so as to prevent the wear plates from moving upwardly or downwardly.
 3. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the improvement further comprises restraining means on the side frame and engaged with the plate for confining the lower end of the plate.
 4. The structure according to claim 2 wherein the wear plate has at least one notch at its lower end and the restraining means comprises a boss on the side plate and projected into the notch.
 5. The structure according to claim 2 wherein the wear plate has notches opening out of each side thereof, and the restraining means comprises bosses projecting from the side frame and into the notches.
 6. The structure according to claim 2 wherein the plate has extensions projecting from its sides and the restraining means interlock with the extensions.
 7. The structure according to claim 2 wherein the restraining means comprises a rivet extended through the wear plate and into the side frame, the rivet being in a heated and pliable condition when applied.
 8. The structure according to claim 2 wherein the restraining means comprises a rib projected from the side frame below the lower edge of the plate, and a weld between the rib and the plate.
 9. The structure according to claim 8 wherein the weld is a butt weld.
 10. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the tongue-like extension has notches opening out of the side thereof, and the narrow wall segments of the compression member along the aperture therein project into the notches.
 11. The structure according to claim 10 wherein the aperture is configured such that the tongue-like extension can be inserted upwardly into it when the friction plate is generally parallel to the plane of the side frame, but not when the tongue is perpendicular to that plane.
 12. The structure according to claim 11 wherein the wear plate has a similar tongue-like extension at its lower end, and wherein the side frame has bosses which project into the notches of the lower tongue.
 13. In a railway truck including a bolster provided with a reduced end having inclined walls, springs engaged with the reduced end and supporting the bolster, and wedge-shaped friction blocks urged upwardly and against the inclined walls, the improvement comprising: an elongated side frame provided with a bolster window into which the reduced end of the bolster projects and including a spring seat at the bottom of the bolster window and supporting the springs, columns along the sides of the bolster window, and a compression member extended over the bolster window, the compression member being hollow and having a downwardly opening aperture located above the columns and having relatively narrow wall segments on each side of the aperture, and vertical wear plates extending transversely of the side frame and being located between the columns and the wedge-shaped friction blocks, the wear plates projecting upwardly through the apertures and into the hollow interior of the compression member and having notches in the sides thereof which receive the relatively narrow wall segments so as to prevent the wear plates from dropping downwardly.
 14. The structure according to claim 13 and further characterized by positioning means mounted firmly on the columns and engaged with the wear plates at their lower ends for preventing lateral movement of the lower ends of the wear plates. 